Device for running copy-protected software

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for running copy-protected software stored on an information carrier ( 6 ). It is a object of the invention to increase the hurdle for hackers to make a readable copy of the information carrier ( 6 ). To achieve this object a device is provided, comprising: a drive ( 1 ) for reading said encrypted graphics data ( 7 ) and said encryption data ( 8, 11, 12 ), means ( 9 ) for decrypting said encrypted graphics data ( 7 ) using said encryption data ( 8, 11, 12 ) for obtaining decrypted graphics data ( 16 ), an application processing unit ( 4 ) for running said copy-protected software, a graphics processing unit ( 10 ) for processing said graphics data ( 16 ), means for opening a secure communication channel ( 5 ) between said drive ( 1 ) and said graphics processing unit ( 10 ) for transferring said decrypted graphics data 16 and/or said encryption data ( 8, 11, 12 ) from said information carrier ( 6 ) to said graphics processing unit ( 10 ).

1 . Device for running copy-protected software comprising encrypted graphics data ( 7 ) and encryption data ( 8 ,  11 ,  12 ) stored on an information carrier ( 6 ), comprising:
 a drive ( 1 ) for reading said encrypted graphics data ( 7 ) and said encryption data ( 8 ,  11 ,  12 ),   means ( 9 ) for decrypting said encrypted graphics data ( 7 ) using said encryption data ( 8 ,  11 ,  12 ) for obtaining decrypted graphics data ( 16 ),   an application processing unit ( 4 ) for running said copy-protected software,   a graphics processing unit ( 10 ) for processing said graphics data ( 16 ),   means for opening a secure communication channel ( 5 ) between said drive ( 1 ) and said graphics processing unit ( 10 ) for transferring said decrypted graphics data ( 16 ) and/or said encryption data ( 8 ,  11 ,  12 ) from said drive ( 1 ) to said graphics processing unit ( 10 ).   
   
   
       2 . Device as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that said means ( 9 ) for decrypting said encrypted graphics data are included in a graphics card containing said graphics processing unit and said secure communication channel ( 5 ) is adapted for transferring said encryption data ( 8 ,  11 ,  12 ). 
   
   
       3 . Device as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that said means ( 9 ) for decrypting said encrypted graphics data are included in said drive and said secure communication channel ( 5 ) is adapted for transferring said decrypted graphics data ( 16 ). 
   
   
       4 . Device as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that said-encryption data ( 8 ,  11 ,  12 ) contain key locker data ( 11 ) and hidden code data ( 12 ) and in that means ( 13 ) for unlocking said key locker data ( 11 ) by said hidden code data ( 12 ) are provided in said drive for obtaining encryption key data ( 8 ) for decrypting said encrypted graphics data ( 7 ). 
   
   
       5 . Device as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises a game console. 
   
   
       6 . Method for running copy-protected software, wherein said copy-protected software is stored on an information carrier ( 6 ) and said copy-protected software contains encrypted graphics data ( 7 ) and encryption data ( 8 ,  11 ,  12 ), comprising the steps of:
 reading said graphics data ( 7 ) from said information carrier ( 6 ),   reading said encryption data ( 8 ,  11 ,  12 ) from said information carrier ( 6 ),   decrypting said encrypted graphics data ( 7 ) using said encryption data ( 8 ,  11 ,  12 ) for obtaining decrypted graphics data ( 16 ),   transferring said decrypted graphics data ( 16 ) and/or said encryption data ( 8 ,  11 ,  12 ) via a secure communication channel ( 5 ) from said drive ( 1 ) to a graphics processing unit (GPU) ( 10 ),   processing said decrypted graphics data ( 16 ) by a graphics processing unit ( 10 ), and   processing said copy-protected software by an application processing unit ( 4 ).   
   
   
       7 . Method as claimed in  claim 6 , characterized by the steps of
 decrypting said encrypted graphics data ( 7 ) using said encryption-data ( 8 ,  11 ,  12 ), and   transferring decrypted graphics data ( 16 ) to a graphics processing unit ( 3 ) via a secure communication channel ( 5 ).   
   
   
       8 . Method as claimed in  claim 6 , characterized by the steps of
 transferring encryption data ( 8 ,  11 ,  12 ) via a secure communication channel ( 5 ) to a graphics processing unit ( 3 ),   transferring said encrypted graphics data ( 7 ) to said graphics processing unit ( 3 ), and   decrypting said encrypted graphics data ( 7 ) using said encryption data ( 8 ).   
   
   
       9 . Method as claimed in  claim 6 , characterized in that said encryption data ( 8 ,  11 ,  12 ) contain key locker data ( 11 ) and hidden code data ( 12 ) and in that the step of reading out said encryption data comprises the steps of
 reading hidden code data ( 12 ) from said optical information carrier ( 6 ),   reading key locker data ( 11 ) from said optical information carrier ( 6 ), and   unlocking said key locker data ( 11 ) using said hidden code data ( 12 ) for obtaining an encryption key ( 8 ) for decrypting said encrypted graphics data ( 7 ).